Chapter 23

“Vaisampayana said. ‘That foremost one of Bharata’s race, then orderedhis troops, which were protected by heroes that were headed by Arjuna andthat resembled the very guardians of the universe, to march out.Instantly, a loud clamour arose consisting of the words–Equip,Equip!–of horse-men, O Bharata, engaged in equipping and their steeds.Some proceeded on carriages and vehicles, some on horses of great speed,and some on cars made of gold endued with the splendour of blazing fires.Some proceeded on mighty elephants, and some on camels, O king. Someproceeded on foot, that belonged to that class of combatants which isarmed with tiger-like claws.[38] The citizens and inhabitants of theprovinces, desirous of seeing Dhritarashtra, followed the king on diversekinds of conveyances. The preceptor Kripa also, of Gotama’s race, thatgreat leader of forces, taking all the forces with him, proceeded, at thecommand of the king, towards the old monarch’s retreat. The Kuru kingYudhishthira, that perpetuator of Kuru’s race, surrounded by a largenumber of Brahmanas, his praises sung by a large band of Sutas andMagadhas and bards, and with a white umbrella held over his head andencompassed around by a large number of cars, set out on his journey.Vrikodara, the son of the Wind-god, proceeded on an elephant as giganticas a hill, equipt with strung bow and machines and weapons of attack anddefence. The twin sons of Madri proceeded on two fleet steeds, well casedin mail, well protected, and equipt with banners. Arjuna of mightyenergy, with senses under control, proceeded on an excellent car enduedwith solar effulgence and unto which were equipt excellent steeds ofwhite hue. The ladies of the royal household, headed by Draupadi,proceeded in closed litters protected by the superintendents of women.They scattered copious showers of wealth as they proceeded. Teeming withcars and elephants and steeds, and echoing with the blare of trumpets andthe music of Vinas, the Pandava host, O monarch, blazed with greatbeauty. Those chiefs of Kuru’s race proceeded slowly, resting bydelightful banks of rivers and lakes, O monarch. Yuyutsu of mightyenergy, and Dhaumya, the priest at the command of Yudhishthira, wereengaged in protecting the city. By slow marches, king Yudhishthirareached Kurukshetra, and then, crossing the Yamuna, that highly sacredriver, he beheld from a distance the retreat, O thou of Kuru’s race, ofthe royal sage of great wisdom and of Dhritarashtra. Then all the menbecame filled with joy and quickly entered the forest, filling it withloud sounds of glee, O chief of Bharata’s race.”‘